Oklahoma State Penitentiary And Prisons Modern And Medieval

J. W. CASTEEL

Publication: News-Capital Print, nd ca 1915, McAlester, nd ca 1915

First edition. 21 cm. Pictorial wrappers, [1- 5] - 144 pp., frontispiece( portrait of author), dedication, illustrations, portraits. The history of the Oklahoma Penitentiary beginning with the inspection of the prison by Miss Kate Barnard who had been elected commissioner of charities and correction of the State of Oklahoma, in which she cited deplorable conditions, "a chamber of horrors, that vied with the Spanish Inquisition." Methods of punishment included the crib, the rack, water hole, dungeon, etc. Goes on to discuss improvements made throughout the years and various wardens. Includes a "Thrilling Account of the Riot at McAlester, Oklahoma, January 19, 1914, When Three Officers, One Federal Judge and Three Prisoners Were Killed." Biographies of employees throughout the years on pages 86 - 140. Book ends with 4 poems, 3 of them written by the author. Excellent information. Moderate wear to the spine ends, light old water stains to front and rear covers, light wear to the fore-edges of the covers, else a good, internally clean copy of a rare book.